Pakistan pacer downplays Suryakumar Yadav’s slashing words on rivalry
DUBAI: Pakistan pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi has stated that his side will make it to the Asia Cup final and can defeat India if the arch-rivals meet again.
Pakistan kept their hopes alive with a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a Super Four match in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
India and Pakistan have clashed twice in this series of regional competition but the neighbors have never clashed in an Asia Cup final.
The regional tournament, which this year was played out in the United Arab Emirates under the Twenty20 format, began in 1984 and this is its 17th series.
Bangladesh, who play India on Wednesday and Pakistan on Thursday, are in the way of the arch-rivals meeting on Sunday’s decider in Dubai.
India are title-holders and defeated Pakistan in both those games, but Shaheen was in bullish spirits after capturing 3-28 against Sri Lanka.
“They have still not reached the final, when they do, then we will see them,” Shaheen said about playing India in the final game.
“We are here to win the cup, whoever the team is in the final we will beat them.”
In case the two teams finish in the final, India will again begin as firm favourites after taking 12 out of 15 T20Is between the two nations.
Pakistan’s Shaheen issues Asia Cup warning as third India clash approaches
India have also won the last seven internationals against Pakistan since September 2022, four T20Is and three one-day internationals.
That episode led India captain Suryakumar Yadav to proclaim India-Pakistan “is not a rivalry anymore”.
There were no handshakes in both India victories in the UAE, adding another dimension to an already heated rivalry.
“It is his view that, let him say that,” said Shaheen about Suryakumar’s scathing remarks.
“When they reach the final then will see. Our task is to win the Asia Cup, and we will give a total effort towards it.”
Pakistan are still in the running for a spot in the Asia Cup final following a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four match on Tuesday.
In pursuit of a 134-run target, the Green Shirts dismissed the winning runs with five wickets lost and 12 balls to spare.
